An Overview of Graft Copolymerization's Modification of Polysaccharidesfor an Array of Prospective Applications

Introduction: Graft copolymerization serves as the most intriguing option for modifying the characteristics of naturally occurring polymers while preserving their native properties. Natural polymers are utilized in a wide range of culinary and medical applications. The low density of polymeric materials and their capacity to integrate the characteristics of their constituent parts made them attractive. The high-energy accelerated electrons in the plasma cause the chemical bonds of the polymeric structure to break down, generating macromolecular radicals and initiating graft copolymerization. Methods: Graft copolymerization is a powerful process for incorporating hybrid characteristics into the backbone of polymers. Grafting is frequently triggered by the monomer, followed by the free radical formation in the centre of the polymer backbone. Results: Grafted polysaccharides offer a wide range of applications in various significant arenas, including the delivery of drugs, pharmaceuticals, the plastic, textile, and agricultural industries, wastewater treatment, and tannery treatment. This piqued our interest, which led to the compilation of a list of significant research and review articles published over the past few decades that explain various methods of grafting, surface alteration, and graft copolymerization of synthetic and natural polymers. Discussion: Polysaccharide graft copolymerization enhances the functional properties of natural polymers. Various initiation methods, including ceric ions, persulfates, irradiation, FAS-HⁿOⁿ, and microwave energy, offer differing efficiencies and environmental impacts, with microwave initiation being notably rapid and environmentally friendly. Monomer selection (e.g., acrylic acid, acrylonitrile, acrylamide, MMA) allows tuning of properties for applications in pharmacy, wastewater treatment, agriculture, and industry. While the technique holds great potential, challenges like incomplete grafting and scalability persist, highlighting the need for greener and more efficient processes. Conclusion: Numerous redox initiator methods, such as ceric ammonium nitrate, persulfate, irradiation, FAS-H2O2, etc., are also being investigated for vinyl grafting using standard and nontraditional approaches. In the formulation development process, polymer grafting has gained immense prominence. Numerous desired and undesired attributes can be added or eliminated by altering the functional groups of polymers. Based on the results of the literature review, it can be stated that graft copolymers of polysaccharides have significant applications in medicine, particularly in tissue engineering and drug delivery.